eli5: What’s the difference between lethal, fatal, and deadly?

Question

eli5: What’s the difference between lethal, fatal, and deadly?

In: Other

Answer 1

_Lethal_ and _deadly_ mean tending to cause death when used against or taken by a target. Think of a _lethal weapon_ or a _deadly poison_.

_Fatal_ means has already caused, or is certain to cause, death. Think of _fatal injuries_. An event or occurrence can be fatal; a tool or object cannot.

You could never have a _fatal weapon_, for instance.